Heart patients need more exercise advice

Not enough heart patients receive diet and exercise advice or take part in cardiac rehabilitation programmes the Healthcare Commission has claimed.

The independent inspection body for the NHS and independent healthcare, has said that too many patients are not receiving follow-up care and rehabilitation after being hospitalised with coronary heart disease (CHD).

The announcement comes as the commission publishes findings of a survey of nearly 4,000 heart patients who have attended NHS trusts across England.

The research shows that 63 per cent of patients surveyed had not taken part in a cardiac rehabilitation programme, while nearly half said they were not spoken to by hospital staff about positive changes necessary in diet before being discharged. More than a third said they were not told that physical activity would help them with their condition.

The commission would like to see immediate improvements in access to cardiac rehabilitation services, said its chief executive, Anna Walker: “As we get better at treating patients while they are in hospital, we must now also focus on their needs for rehabilitation and aftercare and advice on staying healthy.”

Andreé Deane, FIA communications director welcomed the commission’s advice. “I am delighted that the Healthcare Commission has recognised the need for hospitals to focus on aftercare,” she said.

“The discussions currently taking place between the FIA and the Department of Health are mostly about the modernisation of the GP referral system; to establish more efficient links between medical staff and exercise professionals and create a qualification for health trainers (Public Health White Paper, November, 2004).

“The NHS-endorsed health trainers will happily create stronger links between hospitals, doctor's surgeries and the fitness industry.”